- Date posted
- 3y
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 3y
all of this is super common! first of all, pure o is a really common term that people often use when they think they have no compulsions - but there are always some compulsions present even if it's as subtle as avoidance or a mental compulsion which can be sneaky at times. even from what you've written out, it seems like "when my mind is idle" is a trigger for you. from what you mentioned it seems like this is when you end up scanning and checking for particular worries. i would encourage you to put yourself in more idle time type of activities eg driving or showering and nighttime tend to be harder for people . go into these activities with the intention of being mindful and maybe i do have worries maybe i don't but i'm not going to try to figure them out at this time. also think about any other related scenarios that you avoid or have to ritualize through in order to get through.
- Date posted
- 3y
Thank you! This is really helpful, it’s true I avoid moments where I have too much time to think so I’m going to try to be less avoidant. It’s weird I feel like the ERP is helping with the ocd but instead of the ocd I just have this weird nagging feeling, although its definitely better than the ocd loop.
- Date posted
- 3y
Have you ever monitored your mood / thoughts throughout the day before? Tracking these can help identify triggers. I also thought that I didn’t have triggers until I read back through my log.
- Date posted
- 3y
No I haven’t don’t that as I’m just getting started, but I feel like I have these thoughts almost continually for 2 months so there’s absolutely no respite.
- Date posted
- 3y
@William0cd It can be hard to think of exposures when it comes to themes that don’t have visible compulsions. It seems as if you’ve identified some compulsions already. Existentialism is one of my big themes & part of my exposure is leaving sticky notes of my biggest fears (such as my life being a simulation), and not engaging in ruminating. I definitely recommend doing some mood / thought tracking throughout the day as a good starting point. Are you doing ERP on your own?
- Date posted
- 3y
I have my first session this Tuesday with Heidi Vanderlei which I’m excited about, I tried to do erp on my own but I’m not sure I’m doing it correctly - I tried to sit with the thought but the compulsions are so quick in my mind even when you are trying not to do one your brain just gives you a micro reassurance so I’m worried it’s not going to work. How do you track your thoughts, in the app? Sticky notes is a good idea, I could try that!
- Date posted
- 3y
It’s great that you’re going to work with a therapist! She’ll demystify ERP for you! One thing you might learn in therapy is that you can “spoil” compulsions that come up automatically.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 24w
Hi , I have Sensorimotor Ocd and i dont know exactly what to do because it feels like everythings a trigger and i just want to be alone without it , Every day after school i want to watch tv , Play Video Games or just lay in my bed in peace after an exausting day but i cant stop thinking about my sensations and i basically have all of them Swallowing , Breathing , Saliva and Blinking. Every time i research it triggers something even more and im just wondering how to stop getting triggered.
- Date posted
- 24w
I’ve been feeling the urge to avoid intimacy or purposefully engage (for reassurance that I won’t give into a compulsion) because of intrusive thoughts and fear that I’ll “check/test” my reactions. My OCD is making me so scared that I’ll purposefully think of a child and try to see if I like it. It’s so complicated but I guess I’m mentally checking if I would mentally check during intimacy. I’ve even envisioned myself checking and it’s making me so nauseous. I know it’s a compulsion like any other but the sound of “touching yourself to the thought of a child” sounds atrocious and vile. I’m terrified I’ll automatically start checking next time I am being intimate. I truly feel so worried. If anyone has gone through something similar, I’d appreciate hearing your experience. Or if anyone has any advice?
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- Date posted
- 6w
i had recently been triggered to have so-ocd. its been on my mind non-stop. (i am a heterosexual female) and my mind has been all over the place questioning if i have been in denial the entire time. ive always had people tell me they sort of got that vibe it it never really affected me until my own mother had her suspicions. so i would constantly get triggered un public around the same gender, while knowing my true sexuality. ive always been attracted to men but as of recently ive been having super bad anxiety to where i cannot eat or sleep and feel weak all the time. it was like that for a week or so. now im in the calm where i have been trying accept the uncertainty but it still isnt fair as im getting triggered. im a little worried because it feels like i have been lying to my parents the entire time although ive never had the desire to be with the same gender. and i keep getting intrusive thoguhts that make me feel anxious and uncomfortable. its all starting to affect my friendships as im constantly getting triggered with the intrusive thoguhts. i feel a little less anxious compared to how i was a couple days ago. im really scared on why im having these thoughts now when i have been having romantic feelings for a guy the past year or so. ive also been struggling with false attraction and loss attraction to men. it makes me feel uncertain of my life the entire time
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